Ajello to re-introduce marijuana-legalization bill

State Representative Edith Ajello, chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee, plans to re-introduce a bill in the new legislative session to legalize recreational marijuana. (The legislation wound up being held for further study this year; House Minority Leader Brian Newberry was among the cosponsors.)

MPP says that “similar proposals will be submitted in at least two other states — Vermont and Massachusetts.” A ballot iniative legalizing medical marijuana passed in Massachusetts last week with more than 60 percent of the vote. Maine voters voted to expand the state’s 1999 medical marijuana law in 2009 to include dispensaries.

Reason mistakenly reports that RI passed medical marijuana legislation earlier this year. In fact, it became legal through an override vote back in 2006.

It would provide the avenue we need to create open and constructive dialogue about whether we actually need 39 cities and towns or if we could go with smaller, more effective government in the form of regional or county administration.